THE LOST PRINCESS:His rejected mate

“Aria, come on,” Eli hissed, grabbing her arm. “They’re waiting for you.” “I know,” Aria whispered, wiping her palms on her cloak. Her heart felt like it was pounding against her ribs hard enough to bruise. The pack had formed a circle around the moon altar. Torches crackled, and wolves murmured in clusters. Dozens of eyes stared at her as she walked with Eli toward the front. “Head up,” Eli muttered. “Don’t give them more reason to talk.” Lydia’s voice carried through the clearing before Aria even reached the steps. “Finally. I thought we’d be here all night,” Lydia drawled. “Some of us have better things to do than wait on the powerless.” Aria ignored her and kept walking. She had lived with the Betas’ family since she was a baby — saved, taken in, fed, protected. Eli and Cassia were like siblings. Lydia… was something else entirely. The Alpha stood on the moon steps, arms crossed. Kaelan stood beside him, tall, unmoving, his jaw clenched tightly. Not a flicker of warmth. “Aria,” the Alpha barked. “Step forward.” Aria obeyed, stopping at the bottom of the steps. The air felt too thin. Kaelan’s voice cut through the murmurs. “Kneel.” She sank to one knee, fists pressed to the ground. Her wolf didn’t stir. Not even a twitch. Silence pooled inside her chest like cold water. The pack whispered behind her. “Still hasn’t shifted.” “Eighteen and nothing.” “She shouldn’t be here.” Aria swallowed hard. She forced the words out anyway. “Kaelan… the bond—” “There is no bond worth speaking of,” Kaelan interrupted, voice like carved stone. “Not tonight.” Aria’s breath hitched. “But—” “Stand,” he ordered. She stood shakily. Kaelan faced the pack. His voice boomed, hard and final. “Aria may carry my scent, but she does not carry my standard. A Luna must lead, fight, shift, and protect she cannot.” Gasps rippled through the circle. Eli stepped forward. “Kaelan, that’s not fair—” “Silence,” Kaelan snapped without looking at him. Eli clamped his jaw shut. Aria’s throat burned. “You reject me?” Kaelan didn’t blink. “Yes.” The word cracked something in her chest. She felt it. Felt it break. Lydia took a step forward, lips curling. “The pack needs a Luna who can stand beside our Alpha, not cling behind him. She can’t shift, she can’t defend, she hides behind my parents like a child.” Aria flinched. “I never asked to hide.” Kaelan continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “The pack has no use for a mate who cannot become a wolf.” Aria’s voice shook. “I… I need time—” “Time is up,” Kaelan said. “But you haven’t even given me a chance,” she whispered. “I have given you eighteen years,” he replied. “Nothing has changed.” Eli clenched his teeth. “She’s been trying—” “Trying isn’t enough,” Lydia snapped. “Not for an Alpha. Not for a Luna.” Aria’s eyes dropped. Her hands shook. She tried to call her wolf desperately, silently. Nothing. Only emptiness. Kaelan addressed the Alpha. “The decision stands.” The Alpha nodded once. “Aria, by decree of the Alpha, you are released from mate claiming. You will not stand as Luna. You will not claim status in this pack.” Aria felt her breath snag. “Released?” she echoed. “From the pack?” The Alpha’s gaze hardened. “You will leave by sunrise. The forest will test you. If you survive, you may return as a warrior or not at all.” Aria’s knees weakened. “Leave? You’re exiling me?” “No,” Lydia said, stepping forward with a bright, poisonous smile. “We’re giving you a chance to prove what you claim you are. If you’re destined for more, the forest will show it.” Kaelan didn’t look at Aria once. Not once. Aria’s voice cracked. “Please—” “There will be no begging,” the Alpha snapped. “Go. Before you shame yourself further.” Cassia rushed to Aria’s side, grabbing her hand. “Father, you can’t—she’s family!” “Blood makes family,” the Beta said quietly. “Not pity.” Cassia’s eyes filled with tears. Eli stepped in front of Aria protectively, but Kaelan’s guards moved toward them. Kaelan raised a hand. “Stand down.” His eyes flicked over Aria like she was nothing more than a problem solved. “She knows the rules.” Aria lifted her chin, teeth clenched, tears burning behind her eyes. “Fine,” she whispered. “I’ll go.” Lydia’s smirk widened. “Good luck, Aria. Don’t get eaten.” Aria walked out of the clearing, every step heavy. No one followed her not even the Betas’ family could. When she reached the forest edge, Cassia broke from the crowd, pressing a small satchel into her hands. “Food, Water—don’t die.” Aria managed a tight nod. “Thank you.” “Aria,” Eli called softly, eyes burning. “Come back. Make them regret this.” Aria didn’t answer. She stepped into the trees, alone. Behind her, the drums resumed. Kaelan’s voice carried faintly through the forest. “The ceremony continues.”